Yaara Ndor (10+ Years in the making- Open world)

Game Master Lanx_Kotan

Woot, levels!

I for one would like to know about this coming evil. At least, as much as we do know. Lanx already gave us the reason he doesn't kill things for us, and I accept his answer.

Consulting with his specialist has left the rogue more adept in his art.

Elven added language, +9HP (18 total), craft alchemy for poisons and potions, preform oratory because it makes sense, disable device in case of locks, and handle animals FOR DOG-SPIDERS, are pretty much the only main changes to my skills. I'm not proficient in applying poison (unless you consider craft alchemy as proficiency) so I still risk poisoning myself when I use them (natural 1 on craft alchemy checks and 5% risk when applying it to my blade). Rogue talent chosen was Finesse rogue, allowing me Weapon Finesse as a bonus feat. I'll add all the precise information to my profile sometime (it takes forever doing it on my phone), so I'll use my character sheet until then. Justin is ready to rock and roll!

"I agree with Obadiah - we should rest for tonight and head west in morning. At there any foreseeable customs we should be expecting when we arrive at the town, Labx? We wouldn't want anymore misunderstandings upon our arrival," he says as he pats Obadiah on the back, glancing over the map which is suddenly legible to the rogue.

..I guess the specialist taught me more than I realized. Ohhh well - the more I can read, the better.

Lanx looks at Dmitri and says, "Almost 40 years ago, I was where you few are in your path to defeating the darkness and evil in the world. Priests of all the temples of the goddess, Magdh, gathered together and created a spell that was written in a book. That single book was sent through a divine portal by Magdh herself. The book later returned to us...more than once. Each time it brought a new traveler. In each travelers hands was the exact same book we sent through the divine portal. For many years we quested and battled, bargained and bartered, used diplomatic and devious ways to subvert difficult situations countless times higher in level than our own...luck and providence were upon us. We came across a lot of knowledge of the ways the world worked and how the evil was leaking into our world. We took on new paths and forged new roads, we learned in ways we weren't used to. Being a spear fighter, it was difficult at first to train with the monks, but I became even more powerful. In the end we defeated the great red wurm that was only the emissary of the evil that spread, I was blessed by Magdh with this spear just prior to the fight, after the fight I retrieved this cloak from the hoard of the Dragon. Continuing our search I found the right hand of the coming evil, a great copper wurm, more powerful than the first. My team and I defeated the beast and I found this wolf head in its horde. I found that we did not defeat the evil at its source, but we did a great deal of damage to its forces. It went into hiding. It would be starting from the beginning, stretching out again to infect the land. I went to Magdh again to ask the great seer if she would tell me how long it would be until we see it again. I was the youngest of the party. The time we waited was unkind to most of us, we went from battle ready warriors to elderly scholars...all except me. Your recent arrival...is the second time I have seen your face. I summoned you before, and I fought beside you before. Now you stand before me much younger and find the paradox of learning your favored art...from yourself. You, young Dmitri, are going to fight the grand evil foretold along side me. In order to obtain the blessing of a second chance at defeating this unknown evil and the knowledge of when it would arrive again, I had to vow to not lift my blade against any foe until we, on equal footing, face the greatest threat known to us yet.You must become as powerful as I am, but without my blade. I will help in any way I can otherwise. My riches from my quests is vast, I bought this land and paid for the building of this temple, the money you receive from leveling is from my treasury." (You will get the "starting gold by level" table of gold for each level...minus what you already received. So second level you get "1,000 gp minus the starting gold of 200 gp for a total of 800 gp" this is very generous...and it comes from Lanx Kotan's own wealth, but it lasts until level 10, after that you must find other ways to have money...but that shouldn't be hard.) Looking over everyone, the specialists have now arrived in the map room. He says, "It is our hope that we succeed this time, now that we have this second chance. I will step in to save your life if I must, but it will be at risk of my own, for failing to uphold my oath made to the face of the goddess, Magdh, will result in death, likely. She may spare me if there was truly no other way. I will not lose you, you are important to the success if this plight and you are already well known to me, having fought by your side before. Will you fight to become strong that we can, together, take down this rising evil before it destroys this land?" Cheers erupt from throughout the temple, Lanx, the oath bound hero, the spear monk of renown, is asking if you will fight in his place, as his vow is not yet fulfilled... what is your response?

"N-no."

Obadiah takes a deep breath, his cheeks unusually reddened with anger and indignation. "I-I'm sorry, but... No! No! No I will not help you in this... madness. I'm sorry, b-but this is ridiculous. Mister Kotan, I look at you and see someone who does not care about our welfare; someone who has a goal and will sacrifice ev-everything to achieve it. If ends are needed then means must follow I understand b-b-but there are LIMITS! I am a priest, a man of God, I am not some... some 'legend' for you to cultivate, to train like a pet until I can lunge for the shins of your enemy. A-and what kind of 'god', if it deserves the name, makes it necessary? As you never tire of saying, Mister Kotan, you are inhumanely skilled and powerful. W-what compels a god to restrict you from action? 'Idle hands are the Devil's workshop', Mister Kotan. Idle hands which have stolen away a simple man of priestly peace and thrown him onto some bizarre imaginary ramp leading up to legendary 'evil' you refuse to describe or name! An evil that cannot be any worse than you and your foolishness! We saw it as soon as we stepped into that town- a town of the poor, the starving and the wrong, that we could not help because of your path and because we are alien men plucked from another world!"

Reaching around his waist, he tears off his temple-given coat and belongings and flings them to the floor.

"And this? This damn Back to the Future-style predestination? W-what even is this. Have you plucked some future self of mine from his place, and so severed any connection we might have making him as alien to me as I will be to myself when I am old and grey? Or is his present affected by mine, have you destroyed his skills by plucking me out of time to affect and train me unnaturally? Either way, you fill me with horror, for I look at this man's eyes and know that this is what awaits me- man was not meant to know that! To know one's fate is for God alone, it binds mere mortals horribly; I can already feel my ever choice and hope constrained by him."

Obadiah drops his mace atop his coat with a dull THUD

"S-so no, Mister Kotan, I will not join you on this insane quest, on this obsession. I will leave this temple, and seek my own way home, and if I cannot find it, I will go into forests and break bread with wolves or into mountains and sip water with giants. No matter what, I know I will be safer than if I stay here, now, with you, and follow you into m-madness." His breath finally escaping him, Obadiah turns and heads out of the temple. "Fellow residents of planet Earth, no matter where you come from... I wish you as much luck as I can. You will need it." He does not turn around.

Reaching out a hand as the cleric walks away, Justin hesitates from a lack of response. Left without words for the moment, he looks between the others before glancing back to where Obadiah took his exit and he let's out a sigh.

"...I will fight for this world," the rogue says before pausing as he looks to future-rogue and places an arm on his shoulder with a smile. "Just as I have so done before, it seems."

It was refreshing to know the truth about the specialist and how he represents what Justin will aspire to become. With a laugh, he felt inspired by this new hope for their adventure.

New wealth noted and appreciated! Will happily go shopping. Quick question too: what sort of variety can we hope to find with the merchant's shop here and are firearms available in this world? If so, are they Emerging, Common, or what degree of rarity will they have?

No firearms.
Aside from that, virtually anything you can find in the lists in the players handbook, core rule book, advanced players guide, etc. you can buy. The merchant brought a caravan with him. No magical items, unless you are looking for a "Pathfinder Pouch" (holds half as much as the lowest tier "Bag of Holding" but can only take coins or gems or scrolls and the like. Small opening. It can not be searched and if it is stolen you are aware. Cost is 200 gp) other than that, just let me know what your purchase.

Lanx Kotan disappears in flash as if stepping through a dimension door. Appearing right in front of the young cleric. A sigh escapes his lips as he looks at the young man and speaks in worried tone, saying, "I am sorry that my words caused such turmoil, but you deserved to know. You and the old retired adventurer you train with are different people from different paths, but the same person from the same point in time. The man I fought alongside now works tirelessly to find a way home for you because he gave his entire life already and has little hope of making the journey. He believes in the cause, and believes in you, not because your destiny is his but because your potential is great. You will not end up like him, you, your comrades and I will defeat this evil. We know little to nothing of it. We know it stems from the gods and their meddling, else the goddess, Magdh, wouldn't step in to call heroes through time and space to defeat it. You are from a future I will never see...and if we are not successful...neither will you. We know that this evil will destroy this world, the world you come from in a far distant time. When you came to this temple from where the book rested, the first time, you were very sceptical as you are now. I hope, as I did then, that you would see the purpose of this quest and rise to your potential as one of the last heroes in history. The other version of you, the one that sits in the temple now, he sacrificed so much, stayed behind so he could help you save this world, your world, from utter destruction. I believe in you. I believe you can help us find this evil, whatever it is, and defeat it so it plagues our world no longer. I did not select you, Magdh sent those books through time and space and the book was found by you, not once, but twice. Your deity, whomever he is, must think you to be a great hero, as if that God of yours, himself, called you on this quest. Your path may not be the same path as the old man in that temple, but it is still a grand path full of adventurer, religious insight, and the potential to defeat evil more powerful than can be imagined. You are your own person, your fate is not tied to that old man, your fate is your own to forge. Please, come back with me to the temple, I will gladly treat you to any dish you desire, and I'm sure that old man can help me figure out how to make it in this ancient time. Let's go have a meal to remember. What do you say?" Holding out his hand to shake in agreement.
Everyone now gets to tell Lanx their favorite dish ever, your counterparts will be able to help Lanx figure out how those future dishes can be made in this ancient world. Everyone gets one rank in knowledge local. Every level you all take, where your gain more of an understanding of the world and how it works, I'll give you another rank in that, aside from your other ranks.

Obadiah determinedly shakes his head. "N-no. I'm sorry, but no. I do not trust you. Do you think I enjoy this, this will make me happy? You are asking me to take so much on faith; and for the first time, it seems that my faith is broken, is not strong enough. That is a hard thing for a priest. Yet it is what I must face. I am d-determined to follow this path. As this will s-show." His hand drops to reach beneath his jacket. "I was saving this for when you set us against a troll, a dragon, a monster. You, y-your deity or whatever, plucked me from a great state named Texas, with all my belongings. T-there we have great laws; such as what we call the 'concealed carry.' His hand rises from his jacket with a small metal object, L-shaped and with a small hole at one end. He points it at Lanx, fingers wrapped around one end, far from the little curve inside the L. "Y-you just teleported before my eyes. Whatever you are, I-I highly doubt this will touch or hurt you. T-this is my resolve. My determination despite my broken faith. Good bye." Still pointing the little weapon at Lanx, he moves around the monk and walks out onto the road and away, sheathing it eventually.

Lowering his hand that was ready to expend a mythic point to deflect the projectile, he returns to the group. With solemn expression as if coming back from the scene of the death of a friend, he says, "Our Cleric has left us. He is traveling the wilderness alone and does not wish my protection or anyone's interference. He likely will not survive the night. I am sorry, fellow adventurers, but he is gone and there seems to be nothing I can do stop it. I seemed to scare him with the training I received as a monk (a level 12 monk moves as if using dimension door) and this caused him, in part, to consider me a threat. He was chosen as the one that was part of the group that is the only hope for humanities future. He has chosen his path. I do hope we that others are sent to us. Our group was already small. We can still make it though. I am glad to have you all here. Thank you so much for helping me defeat the unknown evils of this time so that your future remains intact. Even if we have found a way to send you back to your future, it would not exist unless we succeed. We are the futures only hope." Placing a hand on Justin's shoulder, he smiles at the two remaining heroes, saying in forcefully cheerful voice, "Let's feast in victory over our recent foes and in memory of our departed comrade!"

Giving a nod, Justin feels invigorated - as if nothing can stand between their victory despite the recent set back.

"Some grilled chicken over noodles with some alfredo cheese sauce sounds wonderful right now," the rogue says with a smile before looking at Dimitri and saying, "Or whatever equivalent you have around would be fine. What dish would you have, comrade?"

Thinking to himself, he silently beckons a prayer for Obadiah.
May you be safe and happy on your way, friend.

Dmitri, taken aback by all the information thrust upon him and the departure of their other companion, merely shakes his head and makes a confused grunting noise. He looks between his specialist, Lanx, and Justin. He then removes his gear, much like Obadiah, taking great care to delicately place it rather than drop it. When he is down to his clothes, he once again looks at the gathered group and mumbles, I think chicken alfredo would be a good start... We'll save perogis for a later day.

Lanx and the old specialists begin working immediately. Gathering ingredients from the apothecary and the herbalist, selecting a good healthy chicken, pressing and cutting noodles, than cooking everything fresh. Sizzling chicken can be heard, the scent of green onions and garlic touching the edge of the buttery sauce being made. Fresh pressed cheese is diced to melt easier in the sauce as the noodles slowly rise to a boil. Black pepper cloves are ground into a rough powder that is sprinkled over the sauce as it begins to boil. The sizzling grilled chicken, lightly seasoned with pepper, parsley, lemon grass, and finely chopped leak stalks, is removed from the grill, just as the noodles are drained, the earthy aroma of willow bark, dandelion greens and lemon grass coming from the steam on the lightly yellowed pasta strips. Chicken is largely diced and covers the plated noodles as the steaming sauce descends like a thick layer of snow onto the plate parade. The old man steps forward, holding out a plate too both of you. The look in his eyes, one of determination and anticipation.

Licking his lips as his mouth salivates, the rogue takes the offered plate and has a generous bite from it. As his palate is almost overwhelmed by the delicious homemade dish, Justin's pupils almost seem to dilate.

"This... This is unreal. I've never had homemade alfredo.. I fear I'll never be able to enjoy it prepared any other way now - thank you all, so much!"

All gratitude aside, he focuses his attention on annihilating the dish before him as he feasts as if he's never eaten before.

Dmitri digs through his clothes for a time, checking every pocket before he pulls us a pair of chopsticks, glossy black with dragons carved into them, from his jacket. He sits at the table and eats the pasta dish, savoring every bite, knowing this can't be an every day thing. Between mouthfuls, he looks over to Justin and says, I never asked, but you go by Justin, or another name?

Nodding his head as he swallows, Justin raises his fork as smiles before explaining, "Whatever you prefer, but yes - my friends often called me TD: they got it from my online alias back before we were summoned to be champions. It's funny because when I would introduce myself to new people that would ask what it stood for, I would always tell him a random combination of names instead telling them it meant 'Technical Difficulty.'"

Laughing as he thinks about it, he shakes his head and sighs, adding, "I've always been a prankster - I love confusing and misleading people especially. Now, it seems like I get to use my talents to conquer evil.. Nice chopsticks, by the way - I've always loved eating Ramen with my pair back home. Which leads me to ask, what's your background?"

Looking around before leaning in to whisper, he asks, "Trained in swordplay, eating with chopsticks.. Were you a hit man?"

Happy new year, everyone!

Dmitri stares at TD, his gaze deathly serious, having stopped with food halfway to his mouth. He lets the moment hang for a good five seconds before a grin breaks out on his face as he laughs, placing his chopsticks down so as to not lose food. No, nothing like that, he says between chuckles, well... maybe SOMETHING like that. I learned "swordplay," adding quotes with his fingers, when I practiced Kendo in Poland. Got quite good, have a couple silver medals back home. Took it up after watching far too much anime in my youth. Actually, I moved to Japan a few years back, I think it was... 2005. Took some odd jobs... some of those early ones were with the Yakuza as a bodyguard to their higher ups. Managed to get a gig working in private security though, guarding government officials and CEOs at the like. I actually was just wrapping up a job when I was stolen by the book.

He begins laughing too once he realizes that Dimitri was just messing around, relief spilling over him after he was worried from the samurai's serious expression.

"Oh, Poland? My favourite pianist was from Warsaw," Justin says as he eats, the food too good to be left alone as he converses. "Frédéric François Chopin. He was a genius classical composer; very emotionally-fueled works, he produced. My favourite of his being 'Heroique Polonaise.'"

The rogue smiles as he thinks about the music for a moment before continuing, "I know what you mean about Anime though. I was hooked on it back home too. It - no doubt - helped fuel my love for blades and adventure and Japan, and when I discovered video games it would further solidify those obsessions. I've always wanted formal training in martial arts and knife-fighting, but the most I ever managed to get was a month's worth of kickboxing before my college schedule became too hectic. Lucky you - getting to live in Japan and being a bodyguard! You're a regular badass, aren't you?"

Dmitri chuckles, looking for the right words, I dunno about all that. The Yakusa were no joke, saw some things I'd rather forget. I'm not sure badasses prefer the cushy corporate jobs to the tense mafia and government jobs, haha. He smiles wistfully at times long passed.

Warsaw is a good city, lots of history in those streets. I always loved spending time at the Palace of Culture and Science. Some of the older folks don't like it much, but they're stuck in the past... he looks over at Lanx, eyebrow raised, kind of like now, if I understood correctly?

Justin waves a hand as he laughs at Dimitri, reassuring, "Are you kidding? I saw the way you went for that goop-beast we fought earlier! You're almost psychopathic when it comes to fighting - that's the perfect seasoning for Badass Stew!"

The rogue thinks about what his comrade finished with before thinking out loud, "This.. It's all still surreal for me.. I keep expecting to wake up at any moment, but.. I'm starting to think that I won't.. But, we were chosen; we will defend this land! For Yaara Ndor!" Justin calls out as he raises an arm in the tries to rally the others and to keep morale high. It's going to be a challenge, but it's one that the rogue is looking forward to facing.

Dmitri chuckles at the antics of his new friend between mouthfuls of pasta, savoring what is probably the best dish he has had in ages.

I don't know if there's anything I can do to convince you, but I am not a dream. I know I probably seem like one, being essentially a Polish Samurai, but I'm as real as you. And I'm will be at your side as we try to save this land of the evil that threatens it. Partially because I need to get back to our time so I can know how Game of Thrones ends! he finishes with a hearty laugh.

Bellows of laughter escape from the rogue as the two converse. While catching his breath, Justin shakes his head and remembers all the good things about their time they left behind.

"Oh God, I know what you mean - I was still catching up on Doctor Who.. Hell, we have to defeat this upcoming evil! Otherwise I'll NEVER get to play Fallout 4 or Metal Gear Solid 5! That's a fate worst than DEATH!" Justin erupts with laughter again, though he is serious - he's been wanting to play those games for a long time now; he is enjoying the light-hearted exchange he is having with his friend though, and he grabs a drink that is sitting close by - unsure if it was even his or not. Raising the tankard into the air, TD toasts, "Dimitri, there is no one else that I would rather have by my side in this chaotic time. Here's that we may stay friends even after this is all over!"

Dmitri raises his own drink, chuckling. We'll have to exchange information, seeing how we're probably half way across the world from each other. If I remember, you're from Texas, right?

Lanx appears near Justin, a plate of the chicken Alfredo dish half empty in his hand, a pair of polished metal chop sticks in his hand, "It looks like you two are getting along quite well. I am glad we are become such good friends. Maybe I'll try using these throwing spikes to eat with too."

"Indeed! We'll definitely have to," Justin says as he continues to eat. "Yes, I am from Texas - right in the center of the northern 'panhandle,' as it's called. Beautiful countryside, chaotic weather - it's really an amazing place to live. I've always took pride in being a Texan," the rogue smiles as Lanx joins their fun and pats him on the back, laughing as he says, "That's the spirit! We truly come from an odd time where weapons are used for eating and armour is but a rarity! I am glad to have answered the summon too, Lanx. You've been a good guide for us, and - if history repeats itself - we will continue to be great friends this time around as we were in the past."

Yes, we can hope... And we can hope that we can survive this coming storm as well. But for now, I shall enjoy this chicken Alfredo with my wooden "throwing spikes," he says with a chuckle, and enjoy the company of my new friend and our new benefactor. He raises his glass again in a sort of toast before drinking from it again, not completely sure as to what he's drinking, but deciding not to care so he can enjoy the moment.

Justin raises his drink and whoops, "I'll drink to that! Cheers!"

As the trio laughed and ate and drank, Justin couldn't help but feel like they would indeed be the saviors if this land. With such camaraderie between their group, he was certain that they could overcome anything.

As the group is reveling and bonding over a sumptuous meal, a dark cloud looms over the temple, as if to threaten rain. Lanx immediately puts aside his meal and wine goblet, hushes the party and takes one step, only to disappear, appearing only a second later almost a hundred feet away, spear in hand, cloak and head peace in place standing at the ready in front of the same raised platform you all arrived on. Suddenly, a flash, as a bolt of lightning strikes only about 15 feet in front of Lanx and the area is filled with blinding light. As it dissipates, a few new figures, all dressed in modern cloths, now stand before Lanx Kotan. As he did with you, he points to himself and slowly says his name then motions to them.

Noticing the change in atmosphere and Lanx's sudden exit, Justin rises from his seat and looks back.

"Dimitri," he says in a lowly voice as he spots where Lanx took off to. "Something's happening."

Quickly running towards the scene, the rogue is ready to investigate what's going on that captured Lanx's attention. As the distance closes, he keeps about 20 feet away and waits to see if Lanx will need any help or if he's going to receive a divination or whatever has occurred.

Must be important for him to take off like that.. Whatever it is, I got his back! He thinks to himself as he sticks close to the shadows, observing what happens next.

A sharply dressed man, ruffled black hair sweeping behind his ears, wearing round spectacles, begins to tremble. He takes sveral steps backwards, and looks all around him. "wo ... wo bin ich?" He starts, speaking in a langauge Lanx has likely never heard. "Das ist nicht meine Bibliothek , wo bin ich?"

It begins to dawn on him that the strangely cloaked man seemingly introduced himself, and he hesitantly returns the gesture. "Ich heiße... Herr Spilane."

A squeaking from his shoulder draws his attention, and he seems surprised to see that his rat had apparently followed him along. "Kleine Ratte , welche Probleme haben Sie uns in ziehen?"

The rogue tilts his head as he hears the man speaking.

Is that.. German? He's speaking German? He must be another hero summoned!.. Let's wait to approach him though - wouldn't want to overwhelm him while he's taking everything in.. Christ, this is going to be rough if he doesn't speak English..

Shaking his head as he chuckles to himself, he leans against the shadowed wall and watches on.

Lol Good thing Lanx has Tongue of the Sun and Moon!

Dmitri follows close behind Justin and listens to one of the newcomers speak, recognizing enough to know he's obviously German. Amazing how "library" is some variation of "bibliothek" in so many different languages. Poor Herr Spilane is in the same situation we were before our adventure into the mine, he half mumbles to himself, crossing his arms as he leans against the wall. To nie jest biblioteka, kolega.

He looks toward Dmitri, momentarily confused. "Polieren?" He frowns, but easily switches to the language. "Gdzie jesteśmy? Czy to Polska?"

Justin nods his head as Dimitri noted about the similarity 'library' has in many languages, adding, "Mmhmm, it's 'biblioteca' in Spanish too. Curious, indeed."

Hearing the two speak to each other, the rogue just waits leaned assist the wall and tries to infer what they're saying based on their tone and body language.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Dmitri barks out a single laugh, and with a grin on his face he says, louder then previously, Nie. Słuchaj człowieka wilka, on powie ci więcej. Czy mówisz po angielsku?

His face adopts one of confusion, and he glances to the pelt-wearing man. "I.... Yes." He starts, slowly. Turning in full to Lanx, he speaks again. There's a noticeable sharpness to his words, as if he hasn't practiced using English in a long time. "Herr Kotan, please explain. What happened to us? Why are we here?"

He's noticed by now, that there were two others that came along with him.

Another man is next to the German librarian. He immediately crouches down, a look of fear on his face. His sky-blue eyes rotate, and give the impression that he's taking in the entire scene, the data processed and threats assessed in a hierarchy, numbers for both attack and escape processed with cold logic.

The other man stands. Though he's no paradigm of physical perfection, time has been taken to make his physical form at least above average. He steps forward, and smiles. "Helo 'na. Oeddwn yn meddwl tybed a allai eich cyfeirio i mi...."

The man stops speaking, his eyes wide.

'Um, Propoket, why am I speaking Celestial? Why the balls do I even know that I was just speaking Celestial?'

'Well, alright. But that's the last f*+*ing time you get to talk about my flower doing anything.'

"Hi there. Oh, okay, that's better. Um, Hi, I'm Brian, also called the WhiteAngel. Do...where the hell are we? And, uh, do we have a quest or anything? Or maybe we're supposed to talk to a little guy in red robes? Or just speak to our Luck Dragon?"

Just then a bright circle of light appears above his head.

'Oh what the hell is THAT??'

'That language... I've never heard if anything like that before.' His initial thoughts strolled through his head, as he observed the toned man. Obviously much more so then his own skin and bones self. All he had going was being slightly more lithe then most.

All rational thought vanished however with the sudden appearance of the halo. "Was in seinem namen ist dass‽" He could feel the sudden fear radiating from his rat, and so his hands shot out as he summoned forth.... Magic.

DC 14 will save, Daze.

Will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

The bolt of mana flies toward the man, but it seems to meet a concave of golden light, and dissipates into the aether.

"OH WHAT THE HELL!?" he yells, turning toward the librarian. "Dude I don't even KNOW you!"

'I'm gonna need some protection. They're...they're shooting...things...at me.'

'Think of an animal. It will come to your aid.'

The man screws up his eyes tight, as if fixing a mental image in his head. Suddenly he screams "Yr wysio!"

In front of the man a medium-sized beagle with black, white, and brown spots appears.

"Crackers!" the man exclaims. "Oh who's a puppy dog? Who's a little cute? Who's got floppity ears?" he says, crouching down to play with the dog, the rest of the room forgotten. "I haven't seen you since you...died."

The dog keeps prancing around and licking the man, loving the attention.

He stares down at his hand in confusion and fear, and his voice mutters out. "I, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to– Was geht hier vor sich‽" His gaze turns upwards in time to see the dog suddenly appear in a flash of magic. Fire begs to come forth from his hands, but he shakes the sparks away before he escalates things even further.

He stares at the dog with a mix of curiosity and suspicion, his mouth hanging just agape. Breaking his gaze from the pair long enough however, to point an accusatory finger at Lanx. "Y-you! Herr Kotan, what did you do to us? Why is... what... Explain!"

Say what you will, at least we didn't start slinging spells and pulling creatures from this air at each other, Dmitri whispers to Justin, trying to stifle a chuckle.

I do hope that Lanx Sama intervenes before things get too out of hand.

Toby steadies herself, unsure what to make of her new surroundings. She's read her share of literature, fantasy and otherwise, but this sudden shift in paradigms was like Lewis Carroll and CS Lewis had a love child.

Toby is a slender older woman with dark brown hair just above the neck, wearing oval metal-framed glasses and dressed in jeans and a sweater.

I...what? is all she can manage (in English), being completely out of her element and seeing the spectacle before her. She felt strangely comforted when BrightwhiteAngel spoke Celestial, though she had no idea what she was hearing; the language spoke somehow to her heart.

The rogue tries not to laugh as he places a hand over his mouth, observing the tenacious trio plus dog and rat.

"Oh, I know! But can't we keep them? I like them - I promise to feed and water these ones this time!"

Feeling the laughter bubbling up inside him, the rogue is at his limit before erupting.

"Oh, I know! But can't we keep them? I like them - I promise to feed and water these ones this time!"

That accent...is this...am I in Texas? Is this Six Flags or something?

After a full two minutes the dog begins to dissipate. The man gives it one last pat on the head, "Bye, girl," and he stands. "I doubt it," he says to the lady, "I did some time at Fort Sam Houston and this ain't -neeeeeearly- hot enough for Texas. In Texas as soon as you'd step out of the shower, it was time for another shower! Oh, hey, food! Um, you guys seem to have some extra, would you mind? I did chest an' trycs last night so today is an empty day, know what I mean?"

Without waiting for confirmation, the man grabs a meaty haunch and begins to gobble at it. After a few bites he grabs a spare goblet and fills it, taking a tentative sip. "Y'know, I'd rather a cold 'Dew, and I don't normally drink wine, but this stuff ain't bad."

Unlike Brian, who appears to be leaving the room entirely for wherever the banquet hall is, Jerimiah brings his hands to either side of his head and begins to tremble. He mutters out something out repeatedly in German while his pet appears to try and comfort him.

Still standing in front of the new group, Lanx had summoned for a few platters of basic dishes for the likely famished travelers to enjoy with plenty of wine and water to wet their pallet. The old man examined the entire group and their reactions to the world, when they had settled a little, he raised a hand and spoke to them plainly, everyone heard him in their native tongue (Tongue of the Sun and Moon, Monk ability) as he said, "Welcome to the secret temple of the goddess, Magdh. You were chosen by divine selection and fate as part of the new heroes for our quest to save this world from utter destruction. I readily invite you to take part in the various dishes prepared for you here, your long journey from you distant time and land has taken a toll on you I am sure, rest easily tonight and we will take time on the morrow to introduce you to a specialist in your field, one that will aid you and guide you. I will be traveling with you on your quest, I can answer your questions and aid in many small ways as you sojourn. We will speak more on this tomorrow. Everyone, please feast and make merry, all here are your comrades. If you look again in your book, you will notice it is now empty, we are already working on a new way to return you to your time and the location you were in before your selection by the fates...but it may not be completed for some time. Likely your comrades will have answers for you, but please patiently await me if you are in need of answers to things I may know more of. Have a good evening all. I must bid goodnight and we shall talk again come morning." Lanx takes one step and immediately disappears, he is then seen about a hundred feet away finishing his food and goblet. Before, taking a step, disappearing, reappearing before the group. "Welcome to Yaara Ndor, and welcome to our adventure to quell the rising evil in the land. You are the last of the adventurers. The others have grown far too old to battle, but we are in dire need of hero's and you were those chosen by the fates to aid us. You may hear more on this from your fellow comrades that have traveled with us for a time. I bid all a good night." Taking a step, he disappears once again. (Abundant step, monks move as if using dimension door, Monk base speed 90 ft.)

@Jerimiah:

"As the group is reveling and bonding over a sumptuous meal, a dark cloud looms over the temple, as if to threaten rain. Lanx immediately puts aside his meal and wine goblet...Suddenly, a flash, as a bolt of lightning strikes only about 15 feet in front of Lanx...[a]s it dissipates, a few new figures, all dressed in modern cloths, now stand before Lanx Kotan.

Apparently we're in a banquet hall.

Brian calls after the recently-disappeared figure, "Uh, hello? Do, ah, do we get room keys, or something? Where exactly are we supposed to spend the night? I don't know about you but after a night of 'feast and make merry' I usually prefer my own room, y'know?"
His head swivels about, as if he'll see where their new host went simply via effort.

He makes a mental note that if anyone ever offers him a reward, he's totally gonna insist on being paid in electrum.

He stands in stunned silence as Lanx explains everything, and Jerimiah tries to stand and rationalize everything inside his head. But no amount of rationalization seems to get rid of the simple fact that he had just been witnessing magic. Even still, he could feel the throng of power inside him, begging to come out.

He fell to his knees and began to dry heave, and he could feel the intense worry radiating from his rat, Speckle. 'Delusions... Th-these must be delusions...' His hands fumbled in for his pockets, as if searching for something. But his efforts were for naught, the object he sought he hadn't needed for years.

Brian, his mouth full of rich meat and deep, red wine, looks down at the librarian. 'Man, those Germans. They used t'be world-beating bad-asses, and now they're all 60's-era hippies. Stupid Woodrow. If he hadn't been such a jerk the League of Nations wouldn't have failed so badly and Germany wouldn't have such a case of nation-guilt.' He feels sorry for the man, buffeted by forces, even before he was born, that he himself might be unaware of.

The beagle is again summoned, and with silent directions goes over and starts licking the librarian's face.

Any and all uneasy thoughts are rather promptly cut off by the sudden appearance of beagle. "Nein! Hund, zu stoppen! Stoppen sie leckt mich! Ack–!" He's finding it awfully hard to speak due to dog tongue, and he's by no means strong enough to push the beast completely away. Sensing amusement and hearing squeaks over his shoulder, he proceeds to swear outloud. "Verdammt Speckle! Hör auf zu lachen und zu helfen me- Nicht meine base!"

Yet she only finds the situation even funnier.